cube stand from items in basement (upcycle)

[Pongo]

May have to make the pics a little smaller

A beautiful build, looks like you put a ton of thought and hard work into it.

Did you finish the light? Would love to see some pics of what you did with it.

 

[truepercs]

Did not finish the light fixture just yet...
Actually, I tend to get an idea(or vision) in my head and do things on the fly. I make changes or shape the results along the way. The scale light fixture was not looking as I had envisioned so I have taken a step back until something clicks. I still want to use because I do like it. I think I will just need to prevent in from working as a "scale" to use. I may also need to make something that looks like the original weight. That little 3x3 junk of steel is quite heavy and if for some reason it happened to fall...Let's just say it would not be good. So I have taken a break from thinking about it and have enjoyed the tank. I'll get an urge and then finish it, I don't call it procrastinationI just don't like finishing something just to get it finished. Ever finished something you were not happy with and then it bugged you every time you looked at it?

I leave it until it bugs me because it is not finished, then I finish it. Hmm sounds the same but it's different?

My brother laughed at me, I was making a hearth for our fireplace new old home... I just did not like the way the stone was looking, I thought about it for a few days. I happened to bust up one of the larger stones and then the light bulb went off. Crown molding had to think of it for a month but at least I am happy when its finally finished.

Ha I found a couple pics of before and after (Actually this picture show the stones set in place-I was finally happy to go with it.) Mantel was a craigslist find from an old house in Detroit. It was Oak, I just painted it with a destressed look. Can you tell I like the distressed look? My wife after several years, tends to let me run with it, I explain what I would like to do but she has to see it...

 

[truepercs]

Hmmm after thinking about what you said. Perhaps I do put a lot of thought in it... Just not on paper, and it changes along the way.

 

[truepercs]

Wow time flies, I still have not done anything with the light fixture but the tank is doing great. I will have to update the pictures. The tank has been up for almost 2 months. I did have had one incident which was self inflicted. I have to admit my eye sight appears to be slipping I mis-read the amount on the small cup and almost overdosed my tank on the start of my first dose. The horror- alk went from 7.4 or so to 10 quickly....The next day the largest coral which I posted pics of "Jedi Mind trick started to recess" I was worried, I actually broke off a piece in an attempt to save a portion in the event the whole thing recessed away.

I took the next couple of weeks to slowly bring Alkalinity back down, it has been around hovering around 8 for a few weeks now. Fortunately the large colony is healing back up! There is still a portion that still needs to come back however some of the dead areas have been grown over again.

The sunset monti has doubled since put in the tank and the burnin banana has started encrusting onto the rock from the small frag that was glued on. I had only put a couple pics up however the initial frags that were added are doing well. I have added a few more frags. rainbow stylo, montipora setosa. I have recorded dates and will share the progress.

Also added a third fish, "Blue Chromis" and have decided that the next addition will be a Yellow Watchman Goby & Pistol Shrimp Pair.

I'll get a few pics up soon!


earlier post I mentioned "fire and Ice" digitata should have said "forest fire"

 

[truepercs]

Here is a couple of photos from today of the tank. Front and side view at least the photos show how the tank has received some new additions.

 

[truepercs]

This is the area that had died off on the Jedi mind trick. Give it another 2-3 weeks and all should be healed. The lower right hand portion of the outlined area has grown back. I thought it was going to continue to spread so I broke off a chunk which is laying on the bottom. The edge has healed and is growing polyps

 

[truepercs]

I picked up the Idaho cap for $15.00 pretty good buy I might add. I would not consider that a frag
The burnin banana has doubled. It grew down the sides completely and is now spreading on the rock.
The sunset Monti has also doubled in size. (Purchased 1st week of January) I would also say the torch and frog spawn has grown quite a bit.
Digi has grown and continues to show growth at the tips.

The tubs frag from a local refer is an encrusted blob that had two branches one was broken in transport.
Snail is blocking the new pink style.

I have most of my favorite low cost coral. All this was purchased at reasonable prices. Frag prices some I consider small colonies. I did pay retail for the spongodes it is one of may favorite corals as well as setosa.
If I come across a few good deals I will pick up a few acros, but I am fine with letting these grow out. I may get a few more fish and be happy for a while.

My motherboard for the doser is still in Poland customs. (a month) Dosing about 5ml two part each day. I still may move things around a bit. FRAGS still on plugs are still in undecided positions

 

[truepercs]

Orange cap, Orange ric, green cap, german digi... Are pretty much free coral from local hobbyist that tossed them in when purchasing a frag. There is a couple of Milka Stylo pieces on the bottom that broke from a small colony. Ha... advertised as pink, the photo turned out that it was not an actual WYSIWYG. Going to give those pieces to my brother when they recover. The other pieces were glued up with the Stylo frag I already had. Together it looks like a nice colony now.


When looking at the whole tank shot from the side, look closely you can see that the green is a slightly different color where I pointed out the re-growth has occurred. It is not as pretty with the big hunk removed but at least it is not dead! I was hoping to get a few items that were a little larger so that I just did not have a bunch of frags. I am thinking if growth is good in another 6 months it may start looking like something
Amazing that the fish are not in the pics. I had to act like I was feeding to get them out of the way when taking a few photos today.

 

[truepercs]

Almost looks like there is no water in the aquarium... Must be clean.
Another one of my favorites is the undata up front, white polyps.

The firefly and ATL has shown some growth,they look nice top down view.
Of course everything looks better in person and with some blue lights to make the colors pop. Also seems to look fuller than in the photos? There are hints of coralline starting to grow on the main rock. Looking at the older photos, I think I like where I had the Jedi mind trick better before Hmmm I may stack it parallel to the substrate as it was before. I need to figure this out before it starts to attach it self. I don't like putting my hands in there any more, those clown fish get a bit angry when I am messing with things.

 

[truepercs]

Growth pics on the corals mentioned
Jan 6 /17

Feb 22 /17 -color true

Feb 22/17 -color true

 

[truepercs]

Jan6 /17

Feb22 /17 True color

The torch expands 4-5 inches at times

 

[truepercs]

I did not take photos of these originally. I just set it on the rock, it has secured it self and you can see that the tips are showing growth. The forest fire dig polyps are extended it does not show much of the base color. I was not sure about this area due to the odd space and light but it is doing fine. I expect as it grows it will take on a more robust color as it opens up to the light. The bottom branch had a large white patch from lack of light, that has changed as it is similar to the other polyps now.

The Milka Stylo, not very colorful but the blueish polyp extension is incredible. It is made up of three frags all frags have growth spurts on tips.

I also noticed growth spurt on the firefly acro. I can't justify nor have the cash for the designer name acros, but will attempt to pick up a few if I can obtain some frags at reasonable price. I'll have to go old school with slimers and others that do not demand a high price

I would like to think that it is an economical build however anyone reading knows that there is no such thing. I want to get a few more pics of the coral and or frags for documenting some growth. I guess it is what I find most fascinating. I am so happy to see folks having success it makes me want to see what they are doing for all that success.

Right now the only automation I have is the auto top off. oh...and since I don't have a controller for the Kessil it is on a timer. I am hoping I can get an Apex one of these days (I entered the contest) but right now if I can get my doser parts and a spectra controller for the light I am fine for the time being. I had a nano box tide on my Nano tank and it really is nice to have sunrise/sunset and intensity changes for the day.
Feb22 /17

Feb22 /17

 

[truepercs]

With the new growth showing and the addition of some additional coral/frags the alkalinity consumption has gone up. I literally had to double the amount I was dosing to maintain the consistency. Being careful this time... I don't need another scare

 

[truepercs]

Ya never know what the new day brings, got approval and was able to purchase a used Apex controller. My first controller...
I am hoping this take things to a new level. I really want the coral to thrive.

Really... I am done now spending money on this hobby

 

[truepercs]

I was looking over the aquarium today and noticed this... I had to capture.
This is the small ATL shades of fall frag I picked up very reasonable during Cherry Corals sale in january along with a few others. (Photos previously) I think I just need to post a photo of the CC firefly for all picked up during that sale. There is natural sunlight coming through the window. Although this frag displays to me why folks may not like LED. If I were to take a photo from the other side you would see plenty of color. I believe that once it grows a bit there will be more light available..

Ha... The snail is blocking most of the frag.

I outlined the sweeper that was extended. There is nothing near this coral, I find it unbelievable how long the sweeper is. I would say it is long as the coral is in height.
My hope this is a sign that it is making sure nothing is around before it really starts a growth spurt
That is on one of the high points in the rock work, I see coralline algae starting to form up there.

 

[Pongo]

I like the stylo, looking good.

 

[truepercs]

Thanks!
The Milka seems to be extremely happy polyps really extended, and plenty of new growth areas... it is a very fuzzy coral.
The pink is one of the newer ones I just picked up.

 

[truepercs]

Apex has already arrived! It will take me a bit to get my arms around this.
After a bit of digging I learned about WPS. Our service providers router has WPS, so... after all the reading it was as simple as pushing a button to set up the WiFi extender Ha... first time I used WPS feature.

Figured out how to clear out all the old info in the Apex, and set up a fusion account.
Making progress. Since the probes are not that old I will figure out how to use them and then re-calibrate (shipped wet)
If any of you guys have any suggestions for quickly getting up to speed with the controller I am all ears

 

[truepercs]

Started building a divider for inside the cabinet, the electronics can be mounted on the wall that separates the sump area. After reading over some of the wire management threads I have a few ideas. Painting it now, pictures tomorrow. BRS has a nice video on setting up Kessil lighting sunrise/sunset on the Apex. Needed to order the rj45/3.5mm cable. Probably best to get the lights and heaters set up first. Calibration fluid also placed in the order...

 

[Greybeard]

Nice design! That sliding sump is an excellent idea, if those runners will hold the weight. I have a 24" cube, with a custom stand, larger than the tank so that I have some extra room under it. It's still a pain to get in there for maintenance. Sliding sump? Excellent.

Reusing old wood is always a good thing. I do some woodworking, and have been known to buy old, scratched and abused SOLID WOOD furniture for use in new projects. Much cheaper than buying 'new' solid wood.

Look on Amazon for 3/4" or 1" ID silicone tubing. I use a 10' piece of 3/4" ID silicone tube as a siphon hose. Works great, don't have to worry about it closing off when it bends. Much more flexible than Flex PVC, should allow you to slide at will. A few properly sized nylon hose clamps, should be quite secure.